What Are Nutrients Called That The Body Cannot Make? Essential Nutrients Explained

January 7, 2026 •

3 min read

Did you know there are nearly 40 essential nutrients that the human body requires but cannot synthesize on its own? These vital compounds are nutrients called that the body cannot make, and consuming them through your diet is necessary for survival, growth, and overall health.

Quick Summary

Certain nutrients are vital for survival, yet the human body cannot produce them. These are known as essential nutrients, and a balanced diet is required to obtain them for proper bodily function and health.

Key Points

Essential Nutrients: The body cannot produce essential nutrients, or enough of them, so they must be obtained through diet.
Amino Acids: Nine essential amino acids form proteins necessary for tissue repair and other functions.
Fatty Acids: The body needs omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids for cell membrane health and brain function.
Vitamins: The 13 essential vitamins, including fat- and water-soluble types, regulate metabolism and support vital functions.
Minerals: Inorganic minerals, such as calcium and iron, are crucial for bone health, fluid balance, and enzyme activation.
Balanced Diet: A varied diet is the best way to ensure intake of all essential nutrients and prevent deficiency-related health problems.

Defining Essential Nutrients

Nutrients are substances in food necessary for the body's growth, maintenance, and functioning. Nutrients that the body cannot produce itself, or not in sufficient quantities, are called essential nutrients and must be obtained from external dietary sources. The term "essential" highlights their critical role, as the body cannot function correctly without them, potentially leading to deficiency diseases.

There are six main classes of nutrients: carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, and water. Many individual compounds within these classes are essential for human health. The body relies on external sources because it lacks the specific enzymes and metabolic pathways needed for synthesis.

The Categories of Essential Nutrients

Essential nutrients are classified as macronutrients (needed in larger amounts, like proteins and fats) or micronutrients (needed in smaller amounts, like vitamins and minerals).

Essential Amino Acids: The Building Blocks of Protein

Proteins, fundamental to every cell, are made from amino acids. While the body can synthesize many, nine are essential and must come from the diet. These include Histidine, Isoleucine, Leucine, Lysine, Methionine, Phenylalanine, Threonine, Tryptophan, and Valine, each playing specific roles in the body like protein synthesis, nerve function, and hormone production.

Essential Fatty Acids: The Vital Fats

Fats are crucial for cell membranes, energy storage, and vitamin absorption. The body cannot synthesize the omega-3 alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and omega-6 linoleic acid (LA), making them essential polyunsaturated fatty acids. They are important for brain function and reducing inflammation. Dietary sources include flaxseeds, walnuts, chia seeds for omega-3s, and vegetable oils for omega-6s.

Vitamins: The Metabolic Regulators

Vitamins are organic compounds required in small amounts for various processes, including immune function and energy metabolism. There are 13 essential vitamins, categorized as fat-soluble (A, D, E, K) or water-soluble (C and B-vitamins) based on absorption and storage. Fat-soluble vitamins support vision, bone health, and blood clotting, while water-soluble vitamins aid energy release and nerve function.

Minerals: The Inorganic Co-factors

Minerals are essential inorganic elements supporting many physiological functions, including bone formation, fluid balance, and nerve transmission. They are absorbed by plants from soil and water and enter our diet when we consume plants or animals. Key essential minerals include macrominerals like calcium and magnesium, and trace minerals like iron and zinc.

Comparison of Key Essential Nutrient Groups


Feature	Essential Amino Acids	Essential Fatty Acids	Vitamins	Minerals
Function	Build and repair body tissues, create enzymes and hormones.	Component of cell membranes, brain function, inflammation control.	Regulate body processes, assist in metabolism, support immune function.	Build bones and teeth, regulate fluid balance, activate enzymes.
Type	Organic compounds (Nitrogen-containing)	Organic compounds (Lipids)	Organic compounds	Inorganic elements
Energy	Used for energy as a last resort.	Stored energy source.	No caloric value.	No caloric value.
Deficiency Example	Kwashiorkor (malnutrition).	Growth impairment, skin problems.	Scurvy (Vitamin C), Night Blindness (Vitamin A).	Anemia (Iron), Goiter (Iodine).

Consequences of Essential Nutrient Deficiencies

Insufficient essential nutrient intake can lead to undernutrition or malnutrition with serious health consequences. Historical examples include scurvy from vitamin C deficiency among sailors. Iron deficiency can cause anemia, leading to fatigue. Iodine deficiency can impair intellectual capacity, and childhood deficiencies can stunt development. While severe deficiencies are less common in developed nations, inadequate intake can contribute to chronic illnesses over time.

Sourcing Your Essential Nutrients Through Diet

Obtaining essential nutrients requires a diverse and balanced diet. A variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats is recommended. For example, animal products are complete proteins with all nine essential amino acids, while plant proteins can be combined to achieve this balance. Calcium is found in dairy and leafy greens, and iron in red meat and fortified cereals. A colorful diet provides various vitamins. Supplements might be necessary in specific cases but should be discussed with a healthcare professional. For more information on essential amino acids, consult resources like the National Institutes of Health(https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK234922/).

Conclusion

Essential nutrients are those the body cannot make itself. This category includes specific amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. Since our bodies lack the ability to produce these vital compounds, a balanced and varied diet is fundamental for obtaining them. Ensuring adequate intake of essential nutrients is crucial for proper bodily function, growth, and preventing deficiency-related health issues, underscoring the importance of dietary choices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Essential nutrients are substances that are crucial for normal body function but cannot be produced by the body itself, or not in sufficient quantities. Therefore, they must be acquired from dietary sources.

While the exact number can vary, sources estimate that humans require around 40 different essential nutrients, which include nine amino acids, two fatty acids, thirteen vitamins, and fifteen minerals.

No, dietary carbohydrates are not classically considered essential nutrients because the body can produce energy from proteins and fats. However, they are a primary and efficient energy source.

The key difference is that essential amino acids cannot be synthesized by the body and must come from food, while non-essential amino acids can be produced internally.

The human body lacks the genetic code for the enzymes required to synthesize most vitamins. Minerals are inorganic elements that are absorbed by plants from soil and water, so they must be consumed through our diet.

Deficiencies can cause various health issues, such as scurvy (vitamin C), anemia (iron or vitamin B12), vision problems (vitamin A), and bone diseases like rickets (vitamin D).

It is generally best to obtain nutrients from a varied diet, as whole foods contain a complex matrix of beneficial compounds that work synergistically. Supplements may be necessary in some cases, but a healthcare provider should be consulted.